T-stat gasket sealant
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Joined: Jan 2006
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T-stat gasket sealant
Replacing water pump and thermostat. Have seen discussion on sealant/no sealant with much advice not to use sealant on today's gaskets. OK. But I do want to make sure the new t-stat gasket adheres in position when I put it on. I've read no RTV sealant and then others say RTV sealant. I've also seen advice that, if the part comes with gaskets, that means you don't need sealant. OK, the water pump did come with gaskets but I'm still concerned the t-stat gasket not move as I attach the housing. So my thought is a little thin coat of sealant (or something else?) to make it adhere to the housing as I put it on. Yes? No?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
I wouldn't, b/c it makes the job a PITA, the next time. Many new T-stat gaskets come w/adhesive on one side already. Put the stat in, slap the gasket to the intake, sticky side down...put the housing on. Done.
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From: Buchanan, Michigan
Replacing water pump and thermostat. Have seen discussion on sealant/no sealant with much advice not to use sealant on today's gaskets. OK. But I do want to make sure the new t-stat gasket adheres in position when I put it on. I've read no RTV sealant and then others say RTV sealant. I've also seen advice that, if the part comes with gaskets, that means you don't need sealant. OK, the water pump did come with gaskets but I'm still concerned the t-stat gasket not move as I attach the housing. So my thought is a little thin coat of sealant (or something else?) to make it adhere to the housing as I put it on. Yes? No?
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From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
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From: Buchanan, Michigan
Team Owner
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From: Park City Utah
:Thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: New Jersey
I like Indian Head on paper gaskets. It's old school but I've never had a leak while using it and it removes easy. (Unlike rtv... had a few attempts at some T-Stat gaskets on a poncho before I went back to good old Indian head with no issue the RTV kept dripping for some reason...)
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
You can do some searching and find these "Thermostat Gasket - Molded Rubber on Aluminum Carrier" a little cheaper if cost is a concern. They do work great and I will "never" (lol) go back to a paper type gasket for this. I had an issue with mine that no matter what material I was using after a while they would start to seep/soak through and eventually **** me off. I even tried Kevlar gaskets, no go. I came across the gaskets mentioned above and said..."what the hell" nothing else seems to work. I was skeptical at first, but they really work great IMO and ordered a few extras just in case. Another one is the O-ring type with swivel neck that a friend swears by, but it is pretty much the same principal.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,943
Likes: 1,490
From: New Jersey
You can do some searching and find these "Thermostat Gasket - Molded Rubber on Aluminum Carrier" a little cheaper if cost is a concern. They do work great and I will "never" (lol) go back to a paper type gasket for this. I had an issue with mine that no matter what material I was using after a while they would start to seep/soak through and eventually **** me off. I even tried Kevlar gaskets, no go. I came across the gaskets mentioned above and said..."what the hell" nothing else seems to work. I was skeptical at first, but they really work great IMO and ordered a few extras just in case. Another one is the O-ring type with swivel neck that a friend swears by, but it is pretty much the same principal.